Semyon Varlamov is intent on returning to the Islanders, and he appears to be on track after missing most of the last two seasons due to major knee problems.
“As of today, actually, ‘Varly’s’ been on the ice. He told me he felt the best the last four, five years with his knees,” general manager Mathieu Darche said over Zoom on Saturday after the completion of the two-day NHL draft. “I told him you feel 25? He just said, no, 26. We’re excited the way he played in the AHL. Right now, if he’s healthy we plan on him.”
Darche is hopeful that Varlamov can play more frequently next season as Ilya Sorokin’s backup.
The team will bring in other goaltenders as insurance. One option is last year’s backup, David Rittich, who is an unrestricted free agent.
“We’re obviously going to sign other goalies, because we have to protect ourselves,” Darche said. “Hopefully, he gives us the 25-30 starts we want from a backup. He would be an awesome addition, if that works out. He’s under contract, he feels great. If he’s healthy, he’s going to be our backup next year.
“He’s been training, no medication, no anything. He’s been on the ice at Northwell [Health Ice Center] probably twice a week, if not more, and in the gym. It’s very encouraging what we’re seeing right now.”
The 38-year-old Varlamov last appeared in a game for the Islanders on Nov. 29, 2024. It was revealed late in the season he underwent two knee replacement surgeries. He was able to appear in two games for the team’s AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, while on a conditioning loan. It marked his return to professional hockey after missing over 500 days.
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Darche said he isn’t planning to make a qualifying offer to restricted free agent defenseman Adam Boqvist, partly to give prospect Isaiah George an opportunity at the NHL level. It could either be as a seventh defenseman, or a bigger role.
“He might start in the top six,” Darche said. “We want competition. Maybe he pushes someone out of the lineup. We have some flexibility with the right and left guys that can play on both sides.”
When Darche said his team can never have enough quality defensemen Friday night, he wasn’t kidding.
The Islanders followed up using their first-round pick on blueliner Malte Gustafsson by selecting two more defensemen Saturday with his first two picks of the day.
After taking Gustafsson 13th overall, the Islanders chose American Lincoln Kuehne (109th) in the fourth round and Czech Vladimir Dravecky (141st) in the fifth. Both are right-handed defensemen, significant since the Isles are thin on the right side of their prospect pool.
They capped the draft by taking Russian center Artyom Matyuk in the sixth round (173rd) and American right wing Robert Cowan (205th) in the seventh.
Without a second- and third-round pick, the success of this draft likely will hinge on the development of Gustafsson, a big, physical defenseman who will take part in the team’s upcoming developmental camp for prospects.
The 6-foot-4, 203-pound, 18-year-old is planning to return next season to HV71 of the SHL, the top professional league in his native Sweden.
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